PHAGOVITA—Composition and Characterization of Novel Phage Pastilles

Abstract

Infections of the oral cavity and upper respiratory tract, commonly caused by pathogens such as Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, Enterococcus, and Escherichia coli, are often treated with over-the-counter antibacterial pastilles. However, the rise of antimicrobial resistance has diminished the efficacy of these treatments. In response, PHAGOVITA, a new phage-containing pastille, was developed. The formulation includes bacteriophages from the “Pyophage” and “Intestiphage” cocktails and eucalyptus oil as active pharmaceutical components and other stabilizing agents. The combination of bacteriophages and eucalyptus oil enhances its broad-spectrum therapeutic properties. PHAGOVITA demonstrated stable phage activity over 2 years and exhibited antimicrobial activity against 91% of 430 tested bacterial strains. These findings highlight PHAGOVITA’s potential as a safe and effective alternative therapy for treating oral and upper respiratory tract infections, particularly in the context of multidrug-resistant bacterial pathogens.